GhentAnti-abortion demonstrators from the ultra-Catholic youth organization TFP gathered this morning at the Korenmarkt in Ghent. Passers-by made it clear in a peaceful but explicit way that they were not welcome. Before long, a counter-protest erupted, with nearly twice as many demonstrators as the group they were opposing.
There were few of them, the anti-abortion demonstrators – twenty, all men – but they immediately stirred up a lot of emotions in Ghent. Just before noon they lined up in front of the entrance to St. Nicholas’ Church, where they prayed, sang and chanted slogans. Some of them also circulated brochures to spread messages such as “mothers who have abortions are murderers”.
They were members of the ultra-Catholic TFP, which stands for tradition, family, property (tradition, family, property ed.). Following the events in America, they are on a tour through the Benelux. The demonstrators had received permission from the City of Ghent to stand there, but could count on little understanding from passers-by. “Women decide for themselves what they do,” said a passer-by firmly. “You’re wasting your time here.”
The demonstrators were also thrown a lot of middle fingers and booing. It did not take long before a spontaneous counter-movement grew on the other side of the square, at the post office. The peaceful group – condoned by the mayor – held up its own placards with powerful messages such as “abortion saved my life” and “my body, my choice”.
The anti-abortion protesters soon realized that they were not welcome and left ten minutes earlier than planned.
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